How to Get Free Home COVID Tests From the US Government
When the plan to provide free COVID at-home tests was announced in December, it looked rather disappointing – the cost of the tests would be reimbursed by insurance, and free tests would be available at some community centers. Fortunately, the plan is now rolling out with an important addition: You can request free tests from the government website and they will be mailed to you free of charge.
How to request free home COVID tests
The website for bookmarking is covidtests.gov . Starting January 19, you can request that a package of four tests be delivered to your home. (Update Jan 18 at 12:00 pm: Some people have already been able to order tests, though when I checked I still couldn’t access the order screen. It seems to be happening in stages, so give it a try!)
White House officials say they expect tests to ship 7 to 12 days after ordering. To request tests, you just need to provide your name and address. If you also provide your email address, you will be able to receive delivery updates.
There will also be a phone number you can call to order tests, but this number has not yet been released.
Limit of four tests per address. (Fun fact: you are supposed to take a second test if the first test is negative, so four tests is the number you would buy to test only two people.) Administration officials did not explain why they chose four tests as tests. . magic number, but it’s been hinted that this is the best they can do:
If people use the tests, we hope they can access other ways to get tested, including through pharmacies and online; including our 20,000 free testing sites; including for those who are community health center patients, free testing and admissions at community health centers.
Other Ways to Get Free Tests
If you have private insurance, it is required to reimburse you for the home COVID tests you purchase yourself. This policy went into effect on January 15, so keep your receipts and check with your insurance company for details.
Home tests are also being distributed to places such as community health centers and rural health clinics across the country.